It seems the public “soapie” between estranged husbands Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung won’t be ending any time soon.
While Somizi is currently flying high with Living the Dream With Somizi (LTDWS) Season 5 on Showmax, Mohale has just finished recording Mohale: On the Record, a tell-all interview with Aldrin Sampear. The interview will premiere on Showmax on 4 August 2022, just a month after LTDWS S5’s last episode slated for 6 July.
‘Union of the year’
The two celebs became the poster couple for gay marriage in South Africa when their SAFTA-nominated 2020 wedding special, Somizi & Mohale: The Union, was labelled The Union of the Year and set a then record for the most first day views on Showmax.
Their relationship, dubbed Somhale, was also a central focus on Living The Dream With Somizi S4, which won the 2020 SAFTA for Best Structured or Docu-Reality Show.
Aldrin, who also hosts SABC3‘s Unfiltered and SAFM‘s Beyond The Headline, says, “As a queer person, their union has been a celebration of what many would love to achieve but, because of societal norms, have struggled to. Some of us even lived our fantasies through their love story and became invested in it.”
But Somhale wasn’t the fairy tale union it seemed. This became clear when the audio of an off-the-record interview with Mohale was leaked in August 2021, including allegations of how Somizi physically abused him.
‘Mohale: On The Record’
Although Somizi has shared his side of the story on LTDWS S5, Mohale has not yet publicly spoken about how the allegations and pending divorce with Somizi has impacted him – until this interview.
“A lot has been said about me, both true and untrue,” says Mohale. “I initially had no intentions to publicly speak of the events that have occurred, due to an agreement I had with the other parties involved. But when the agreement was dishonoured by the other party, it became paramount that I tell my truth as I know it.
“With all the misinformation in the public domain, it is my responsibility to correct any propaganda as I represent not only myself, but those that may have experienced a story similar to mine. I would also like people to truly get to know me for who I am, as opposed to who they have assumed me to be.”
Candice Fanguiero, head of content at Showmax, says it is important for fans of the ex-couple to hear both sides of the story. “Having told the story of the wedding, we wanted to explore everything that followed,” she explains.
“Living The Dream With Somizi S5 is currently the most popular title on Showmax but it’s just one perspective, so we’re now adding Mohale’s voice so he can speak for himself in this special.”
Mohale: On the Record is being produced by Teddy Geldart’s Dopezuluboi Productions (2021 SAFTA nominee Lebo M: Coming Home and LTDWS S5.